Description The light alloy rims come from selected extrusions and are CNC-machined to optimize the mechanical specifications; they are welded rims with a ground braking surface and the spaces between the spokes ...
Summary: Excellent ride quality for a clincher wheel. Upgraded to Campy ceramic bearings and the ride only improved, although not by leaps and bounds, as Campy's stainless bearings are already very smooth. I agree with several others that the ride can feel a bit harsh sometimes. I find this is typical for aluminum clinchers as you go from heavy to ligther wheel weights. Really a very high quality product. However, I will be selling mine and getting the new 2070 2-way version when possible.
Strengths: Stiff, Light, and very smooth hubs.
Weaknesses: None really. A bit pricey for an aluminum clincher. 2010 prices are actually coming down and ceramic bearings will be standard. However, if you can pick these up used I would go for it.
Similar Products Used: Fulcrum Racing 1 2-way, Bontrager Race X Lites, Campy Hyperons, Bontrager XXX Lites, Reynolds MV32s, DT Swiss 1450s.
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: Cinelli Nuovo SuperCorsa with Centaur.
Summary: Fantastic Wheels. I was concerned the ride would be harsh but these have a better ride than my 32spoke Mavic Open 4's. There may be a slight advantage in the wind, but I can't prove it. I noticed much better feel in corners because the rim is very stiff side to side.
Strengths: Ride quality. Light. Handling. Great braking surface.
Weaknesses: The painted finish on the spokes and hubs is prone to scratching.
Similar Products Used: Mavic 32 hole Open Pro on Chorus hubs.
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: I purchased the Two-Way Shamal Ultras with a set of Hutchinson Tubeless tires. Though an absolute pain to mount, they were easy to inflate, and have been an absolute pleasure to ride. They seem fast enough, and though heavier and less aero than my zipp 404 tubulars, the tubeless rolling resistance reduction feels significant.
Strengths: Stiff, reasonably light, plush ride, responsive and quick wheels.
Weaknesses: Mounting the tubeless tires--you'll need two plastic tire levers like Pedro's, or the hands of Heracles
Similar Products Used: KSYRIUM SL
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: Colnago C40, Dura Ace, Zero Gravity, 3T ErgoSum, Specialized Toupe
Summary: I have to agree with some of the other reviewers observations. These wheels do feel fast in comparison to other clinchers. They are quite stiff laterally. I'm a lighter rider but climbing and especially descending the steep canyons around Salt Lake City you can really appreciate the stiffness. They are among the lighter wheels in their class, mine weighed in at 1450 grams. The skewers are little on the beefy side at 116 grams for the pair. I can't comment too much on how "aero" they are however I can say they behave fine in a crosswind - no real surprises.
I have put around 800 miles on them and they have only required very minor truing. I switched the stock bearings for Ceramic Speed grade 3 bearings and the wheels are just unbelievably smooth. These are very well engineered wheels and easy to recommend. Especially now that the newer model permits the use of either standard tires and tubes or Hutchison's tubeless system.
After riding a dozen wheelsets in the past two years in search of wheel nirvana these became one of the keepers.
Perhaps the only weakness is a rather subjective one. I feel that the ride is a little more harsh than some other wheels but this should be expected in a stiff, aluminum spoked wheel. It's just something I found relative to the other wheels that I ride. A small nit-pick compared to the many things the Shamals have going for them.
Strengths: Light for an aluminum clincher, Oh-so-smooth hubs, Durable, All around great performers (training miles anyone?)
Weaknesses: Ride seems to have a little more road buzz than some wheels.
Similar Products Used: Mavic R-SYS ‘08, Mavic Ksyrium ES ‘07, Topolino C19, Rolf Elan Aero, Neuvation R28 SL2, Easton Tempest II
Not as Similar: Campagnolo Hyperon Ultra ‘07, Mavic Carbone Ultimate ‘08, Zipp 202 ‘08, Corima Winium ‘07, Mavic Cosmic Carbone Pro ‘06
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: As good as alu clinchers get. I got these in early 2007 in the gold colour. If you have a predominantly black bike then don't worry about them being too bling. They work well with dark colours.
Mine weight 1430g and have never needed true. Record hubs are fantastic. Acceleration is good (you've really got to go for carbon tubs for much better), stability great. Stiff enough for climbing hard. They feel honest and fast!!
Strengths: Light for alu clinchers
Very strong
Very good and fast hubs
Look great with most bikes
Italian!
Ok aerodynamics
Weaknesses: Ok aerodynamics
Can get blown a bit in cross-winds but not too bad
Heavy QRs
I am struggling here ... these are not big -ves
Similar Products Used: ksyriums, shimanos etc.
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
5 of 5
4 of 5
5 of 5
